The Detroit Red Wings could be on the cusp of something great if general manager Steve Yzerman just felt like deviating from the Yzerplan just a little. Still, there’s one trade he could make, a blockbuster trade, with a division rival that would more than just turn the Wings into annual playoff, no, championship contenders.
One of their division rivals has not one but two players who sound like they’re no longer interested in playing for the Blue and Gold. And can you really blame them, considering how bleak the franchise has been?
While pawning those two off could help general manager Kevyn Adams keep his job if he gets a good return, why not call him up and ask about acquiring both JJ Peterka and Bowen Byram in a blockbuster deal?
Peterka’s coming off a 68-point season and could wind up producing like Lucas Raymond next season. Meanwhile, Byram can be another quarterback on the power play and bring a two-way game.
Red Wings could forge their next dynasty if they landed Peterka and Byram
I’m not exaggerating, even if landing Peterka and Byram would likely mean parting with multiple first-round picks, likely the 13th pick and a 2026 first-rounder, and a high-end prospect like Nate Danielson. I’d also throw in Vladimir Tarasenko (eight-team no-trade list) and Jonatan Berggren.
Yeah, it seems like a lot, but the Wings would get two proven NHL players, one of whom is a star who’s only going to keep shining brighter. The Sabres would benefit by immediately getting Peterka’s replacement in Danielson, a veteran in Tarasenko should he not list the Sabres on his no-trade clause, and a high-end project in Berggren.
It’s a trade neither team’s losing out on, as it’d keep the Sabres prospect pool stocked with at least three NHL-caliber forwards there to fill the lineup in 2025-26. Some Wings fans may push back and claim it’s too hefty of a price, but considering both players are coming off their respective age-23 seasons and could use long-term deals, it’s shortsighted thinking.
Red Wings would have one of the NHL’s deepest lineups with Peterka and Byram
Could you imagine what that top six would look like in 2025-26? You’re looking at Dylan Larkin, Alex DeBrincat, Lucas Raymond, JJ Peterka, Patrick Kane (when he re-signs), and Marco Kasper in the top six. Add in J.T. Compher, Andrew Copp, and Carter Mazur, and you got a top nine, with Michael Rasmussen, Elmer Soderblom, and Tyler Motte (also needs to re-sign) rounding things out as the primary forwards.
Then, turn your attention to the defensive rotation, which would have Moritz Seider, Simon Edvinsson, Albert Johansson, and Bowen Byram, plus Ben Chiarot. Maybe Axel Sandin-Pellikka joins the fun, and wow, I’m telling ya, the Wings won’t be seeing any near-decade-long playoff droughts for a long, long time.
And like I said; it’d be a dynasty in the making. There are just too many great players in this lineup when you insert Peterka and Byram. But, it’s up to Steve Yzerman to make it happen.
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